Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge, by R.A. Torrey, [ca. 1880], at sacred-texts.com
Overview
Lev 27:1, He that makes a singular vow must be the Lord's; Lev 27:3, The estimation of the person; Lev 27:9, of a beast given by vow; Lev 27:14, of a house; Lev 27:16, of a field, and the redemption thereof; Lev 27:28, No devoted thing may be redeemed; Lev 27:30, The tithe may not be changed.
When: Gen 28:20-22; Num 6:2, Num 21:2; Deu 23:21-23; Jdg 11:30, Jdg 11:31, Jdg 11:39; Sa1 1:11, Sa1 1:28
a singular vow: A vow is a religious promise made to God, for the most part with prayer, and paid with thanksgiving. Vows were either of abstinence (Num. 6 and chapter 30), or the devoting of something to the Lord, as sacrifices (Lev 7:16), or the value of persons, beasts, houses, or lands, concerning which the law is here given. A man might vow or devote himself, his children, his domestics, his cattle, his goods, etc.; and respecting the redemption of all these, rules are laid down in this chapter. But if, after consecrating these things, he refused to redeem them, they then became the Lord's property forever. The persons continued all their lives devoted to the sanctuary, the goods were sold for the profit of the temple, or the priests; and the animals, if clean, were offered in sacrifice; and if not proper for sacrifice, were sold, and the proceeds devoted to sacred uses. This is a general view of the different laws relative to vows, mentioned in this chapter. Ecc 5:4, Ecc 5:5
And thy estimation: Lev 27:14, Lev 5:15, Lev 6:6; Num 18:16; Kg2 12:4 *marg.
fifty shekels: i.e, At three shillings each, 7. 10s. sterling.
after the: Lev 27:25; Exo 30:13
thirty shekels: i.e., 4. 10s. sterling, A little more than one-half the value of a man; for this obvious reason, that a woman, if employed, would not be of so much use in the sanctuary as the man. Zac 11:12, Zac 11:13; Mat 26:15, Mat 27:9, Mat 27:10
twenty shekels: i.e. 3, sterling
ten shekels: i.e. 1, 10s. sterling Lev 27:5
from: Num 3:40-43, Num 18:14-16
the male: The male five shekels, 15s., the female three shekels, 9s. Being both in infancy they were nearly of an equal value.
from: Psa 90:10
fifteen: The old man and the old woman, being almost past labour, were nearly of an equal value; the former being estimated at 15 shekels, and the latter at 10.
poorer: Lev 5:7, Lev 12:8, Lev 14:21, Lev 14:22; Mar 14:7; Luk 21:1-4; Co2 8:12
according: Jer 5:7
all: is holy, i.e. separated and devoted; it cannot be redeemed like a human being, a house, or a field (Young), Lev 27:9
Lev. 27:15-33; Jam 1:8
as thou valuest it, who art the priest: Heb. according to thy estimation, O priest, etc. Lev 27:14
Lev 27:10, Lev 27:15, Lev 27:19, Lev 5:16, Lev 6:4, Lev 6:5, Lev 22:14
sanctify: Lev 27:21, Lev 25:29-31; Num 18:14; Psa 101:2-7
as the priest: Lev 27:12
then he shall add: Lev 27:13
some part: Though the words "some part" are not expressed, yet it is generally allowed that they should be supplied here; as it was not lawful for a man to alienate in this manner his whole patrimony. He might express his good will for the house of God but he must not impoverish his own family.
of a field: Act 4:34-37, Act 5:4
an homer: or, the land of an homer, etc. i.e. as much land as required a homer of barley to sow it, The homer was very different from the omer; the latter held about three quarts, the former seventy-five gallons three pints. Isa 5:10; Eze 45:11-14; Hos 3:2
Lev 25:15, Lev 25:16, Lev 25:27, Lev 25:51, Lev 25:52
when: Lev 25:10, Lev 25:28, Lev 25:31
devoted: It is cherem, a thing so devoted to God, as never more to be capable of being redeemed. Lev 27:28, Lev 27:29; Deu 13:17; Jos 6:17; Ezr 10:8; Eze 44:29 *marg.
priest's: Num 18:14; Eze 44:29
his possession: Lev 25:10, Lev 25:25
And all: Lev 27:3
to the shekel: A standard shekel; the standard being kept in the sanctuary, to try and regulate all the weights in the land by.
twenty: Exo 30:13; Num 3:47, Num 18:16; Eze 45:12
the firstling: Heb. first born, etc. As these firstlings were the Lord's before, it would have been a solemn mockery to pretend to make them a matter of a singular vow; for they were already appointed, if clean, to be sacrificed.
which: Exo 13:2, Exo 13:12, Exo 13:13, Exo 22:30; Num 18:17; Deu 15:19
and shall add: This was probably intended to prevent rash vows and covetous redemptions. The priest alone was to value the thing; and to whatever his valuation was, a fifth part must be added by him who wished to redeem it. Lev 27:11-13
no devoted: This is the cherem, the absolute, irredeemable grant to God. Lev 27:21; Exo 22:20; Num 21:2, Num 21:3; Deu 7:1, Deu 7:2, Deu 13:15, Deu 13:16, Deu 20:16, Deu 20:17, Deu 25:19; Jos 6:17-19, Jos 6:26, Jos 7:1, Jos 7:11-13, Jos 7:25; Jdg 11:30, Jdg 11:31, Jdg 21:5, Jdg 21:11, Jdg 21:18; Sa1 14:24-28, Sa1 14:38-45, Sa1 15:3, Sa1 15:18, Sa1 15:32, Sa1 15:33; Mat 25:41; Act 23:12-14; Rom 9:3; Co1 16:22; Gal 3:10, Gal 3:13
None: Num 21:2, Num 21:3; Sa1 15:18-23
which shall be devoted: That is, either that every person devoted to the service of God shall not be redeemed, but die in that devoted state, or, that such as were devoted to death by appointment and law of God, as the Canaanites were, shall be put to death.
Gen 14:20, Gen 28:22; Num 18:21-24; Deu 12:5, Deu 12:6, Deu 14:22, Deu 14:23; Ch2 31:5, Ch2 31:6, Ch2 31:12; Neh 10:37, Neh 10:38, Neh 12:44, Neh 13:5, Neh 13:12; Mal 3:8-10; Mat 23:23; Luk 11:42, Luk 18:12; Heb 7:5-9
passeth under the rod: The Rabbins say, that when a man gave the tithe of his sheep or calves, he shut them in one fold, in which was a narrow door, to let out but one at a time. He then stood by the door, with a rod dipped in vermilion in his hand, and as they passed he counted them with the rod; and when the tenth came he touched it, by which it was distinguished as the tithe calf, sheep, etc. Jer 33:13; Eze 20:37; Mic 7:14
commandments: Lev 26:46; Deu 4:45; Joh 1:17
in mount: Num 1:1; Gal 4:24, Gal 4:25; Heb 12:18-25